ICA USA:  GreenRise Goes Live

By Seva Ghandi

The ICA celebrated its solar energy project at its GreenRise facility in Chicago with a share fair on Sept 24. As an array of 485 solar panels turned sunlight into electricity, building manager Lesley Showers, ICA Executive Director Terry Bergdall, City of Chicago’s Chief Sustainability Officer Karen Weigert and Alderman James Cappleman addressed guests. They highlighted the project’s significance – reducing the energy dependence of a landmark building and setting an example of sustainable possibilities for other buildings in the city.

More than 30 organizations involved in various services such as health, social justice and intentional community took part in the “GreenRise Goes Live” event. Visitors got a look at the rooftop garden and solar installation, the integrated plant life around the building, and the conference spaces ICA has to offer. They gathered outside for lunch provided by local food trucks and listened to the Old Town School of Music’s jam band.

Since the event, ICA GreenRise has garnered even more attention. Its solar installation won recognition at the Retrofit Chicago Commercial Buildings Initiative Reception and Awards Ceremony. During the Open House Chicago event, more than 800 people taking part in the sustainability trail contest visited GreenRise. They were intrigued by the historic elevator doors, mail chute and the 7th floor community.

And on Oct 7th, it hosted members of the Chicago Sustainability Leaders Network (CSLN) and community members who took part in a dialogue on spatial justice. The event, “Is it Just Space?”, included an interactive panel discussion and small group conversations that discussed the relationship of space, public and private, to social justice issues. The event was planned by ICA and Center for Humans and Nature.

Seva Ghandi (sgandhi@ica-usa.org)
is Program Coordinator at ICA USA





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